Wireless tissue stimulation devices

Abstract

In one aspect, wireless gastrointestinal stimulations are described herein. In some embodiments, a system described herein comprises at least one transmitter and at least one stimulation device. The transmitter can include a signal generator operable to generate an electromagnetic signal, a first antenna operable to broadcast the electromagnetic signal, and an energy source. The at least one stimulation device is operable to deliver a pattern of electrical pulses to a gastrointestinal tissue comprising a muscle, and the stimulation device includes a circuit board having a circumference, at least one second antenna wrapped around the circumference of the circuit board, the at least one second antenna being configured to receive the electromagnetic signal and to generate an electrical current from the electromagnetic signal, and at least one electrode operable to deliver the electrical current to the muscle.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wirelessly powered muscular stimulation device comprising:
 a substrate; 
 at least one antenna disposed on the substrate and configured to receive an electromagnetic signal and to generate an electrical current from the electromagnetic signal; 
 a circuit disposed on the substrate, the circuit comprising a capacitor, an inductor, and a controller; and 
 at least one electrode operable to deliver the electrical current to a muscle in contact with a top surface of the device and/or a bottom surface of the device, 
 
       wherein the device has a thickness of less than 5 mm, 
       wherein the device does not comprise a battery, 
       wherein the device is configured to directly generate stimulation pulses from the received electromagnetic signal, and 
       wherein the substrate is foldable and the foldable substrate can be rolled upon itself and subsequently unrolled without breaking. 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is operable to deliver the electrical current to the muscle through both the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pH detector or a strain detector. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is not soldered to the substrate. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate, the at least one antenna, and the circuit are coated with a biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a superstrate in facing opposition to the substrate, the superstrate being coated with the biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antenna is disposed on the substrate in a spiral configuration. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least two electrodes. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two electrodes are located on opposing ends of the device and are generally loop-shaped. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable substrate has a flexibility that is within 20% of a flexibility of gastrointestinal tissue, the percentage being based on the larger flexibility value. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna and the circuit are separate components. 
     
     
       12. A wirelessly powered muscular stimulation device comprising:
 a substrate; 
 at least one antenna disposed on the substrate and configured to receive an electromagnetic signal and to generate an electrical current from the electromagnetic signal; 
 a circuit disposed on the substrate, the circuit comprising a capacitor, an inductor, and a controller; and 
 at least one electrode operable to deliver the electrical current to a muscle in contact with a top surface of the device and/or a bottom surface of the device, 
 
       wherein the device has a thickness of less than 5 mm, 
       wherein the device does not comprise a battery, 
       wherein the device is configured to directly generate stimulation pulses from the received electromagnetic signal, and 
       wherein the substrate is foldable and the foldable substrate has a flexibility that is within 20% of a flexibility of gastrointestinal tissue, the percentage being based on the larger flexibility value. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one electrode is operable to deliver the electrical current to the muscle through both the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 12  further comprising a pH detector or a strain detector. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the circuit is not soldered to the substrate. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate, the at least one antenna, and the circuit are coated with a biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a superstrate in facing opposition to the substrate, the superstrate being coated with the biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one antenna is disposed on the substrate in a spiral configuration. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device comprises at least two electrodes and the at least two electrodes are located on opposing ends of the device and are generally loop-shaped. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the antenna and the circuit are separate components.